World No. 1 golfer Nelly Korda entered the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship with strong ambitions, but a neck spasm during practice at PGA Frisco disrupted her momentum. The injury forced her to skip the champion’s dinner on Monday and rely on kinesiology tape as she manages ongoing physical challenges.
Incident During Practice Causes Neck Spasm
The spasm was triggered when Korda hit a shot from thick rough, causing her neck to seize unexpectedly. She addressed the issue during a press conference on Tuesday, sharing that while her condition is improving, it has affected her preparation and heightened sensitivity around her spine.
It’s getting better, but yeah, it was not very good yesterday,
Korda admitted.
She also reflected on her heightened awareness of neck discomfort due to previous injuries.
Obviously with the injury that I had last year, every single time something kind of flares up in my neck now, I think I feel it a little bit more than what I used to,
she explained.
Because of the spasm, Korda missed the revered champions dinner, an event reserved for major winners. She reached out to the defending champion, Amy Yang, expressing regret and prioritizing her physical wellbeing. Neck problems have interrupted her schedule before, including causing her to withdraw from tournaments in late 2024.
Maintaining Momentum Amid Physical Setbacks
Despite the physical setback, Korda remains hopeful as she prepares to compete. She recently finished second at the U.S. Women’s Open, just two strokes behind champion Maja Stark, and is still favored to win even without a 2025 victory so far. Her top ranking and strong form underline why she is a formidable contender.
With Texas heat intensifying, Korda and her physiotherapist are carefully managing her preparation. She stressed the importance of balancing rest, exposure to heat, and fine-tuning her swing to protect her condition ahead of the tournament starting Thursday.
You have to make a plan just how your body feels and be smart about it,
she said.
Quest for First Victory of 2025 and Major Return
While Korda boasts seven wins in 2024, including two majors, she has yet to secure a victory in 2025. The Women’s PGA Championship offers a critical chance to break that streak, but maintaining her health will be essential. At 26 years old, she is one of the era’s standout talents, but recurring injuries threaten her ability to consistently perform at the highest level.
This week’s competition will test more than her physical durability; it will also challenge her mental toughness as she pursues potential dominance on the LPGA tour and aims to preserve her world No. 1 ranking. Arriving at Frisco with resolve, Korda seeks to transform this injury setback into a motivating comeback.
In the spotlight of the sport’s biggest women’s tournament, the questions remain: Will this neck spasm hinder her ambitions, or will it serve as a turning point leading to her next triumph?